"Bad Newz Kennels"

"Bad Newz Kennels".
I couldn't think of a more perfect name for the hellish place that Michael Vick's dogs unfortunately called home...before they were killed for not being good enough fighters for his dog-fighting-money-rolling operation.

I feel ultra sensitive to this issue, not only because of the cruelty of humans towards animals, but because I own a dog breed that is frequently-if not always- used in these types of abuses. Many of you know we own a pit bull....a sweet, mushy, lick-you-lots pooch. But...at first glance, even the most loyal dog lovers may stop cautiously when they meet Zoomer. He looks intimidating if you don't know him. I have even caught Carlos giving Zoomer his hand to sniff before petting him. By the way, you can stop that Carlos. I think Zoomer knows you now.

Although Zoomer adopted me the Sacramento City shelter four years ago, I never thought of what we would take on with pit bull ownership. People cross the street when they see you walking with your dog, they pull over in their cars to ask if you want to breed him, nobody wants to insure you, people nervously try to hide their onslaught of feelings when you tell them what type of dog you own, & parents pull their children closer. Even family can stiffen up when they feel Zoomer is 'too close' to Joaquin.

But...on the other hand...we have found that pit bulls are a great social equalizer. We get instant approval...nods...props...comments of adoration...from gangstas to kiddos, white collar to blue collar....black, white, hispanic...We are able to interact with people on the streets that we likely would not otherwise. Zoomer is the great connector and equalizer in that way. He is an ambassador for his breed. He is a great teacher, teaching us to not make judgements based on popular belief or appearance, teaching others that not all pit bulls are programmed to eat their children, and naturally teaching about unconditional love. Dogs are awesome at unconditional love...both in giving it and teaching us to both give and receive it. I adore cats as well, and we have two of them. But...how many times have you been 'snubbed' by a dog? Dogs don't play that game. They either like you, or they don't. Dogs don't know how to snub. I think this is a redeeming quality to come home to, we get enough snubbing in the world as it is.

Zoomer has converted my uncle Marc from a dog-fearing man to a tolerant friend that Z-dog looks forward to leaning on and getting a good pet from. This is the power of unconditional love in action. You just have to know my uncle to realize how significant this is. The guy fears dogs, but Zoomer no longer. I think he might be a convert. To what? I don't really know.

I openly admit that pit bulls can do harm, and have. But so have people, and the media. Spin, spin, spin...

We are grateful that Zoomer did not ever exist in a place called "Bad Newz Kennels". Our compassion goes out to the dogs that are taken advantage of and abused, as well as their owners for being so disconnected to life & love. And...23 months just doesn't seem long enough.

www.badrap.org